Tag Archives: Reformation

Sermons

Reformation Observed (Jn 8:31–36)

Bethlehem Lutheran Church—Bremen, KS || AUDIO
Immanuel Lutheran Church—Bremen, KS || AUDIO

“The slave does not remain in the house forever. The Son remains forever. Therefore, if the Son sets you free, you’re really free.” (35–36)

INI + AMEN.

Jesus sets you free. It’s why He came. It’s why He died for you, rose for you, too. It’s why He baptized you. It’s why He delivered the Absolution today. It’s why He gives His body and blood to eat and to drink. Jesus wants you to be free, and so He sets you free. And WHEN JESUS SETS YOU FREE, HE REALLY SETS YOU FREE. Continue reading →

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Sermons

Reformation—Observed (Jn 8:31–36)

October 29, 2017
Immanuel Lutheran Church—Bremen, KS || AUDIO
Bethlehem Lutheran Church—Bremen, KS || AUDIO

INI + AMEN.

You’re free! And not “unalienable rights” free. There’s no “unalienable rights” in Jesus’ freedom. That’s worldly freedom—1st Article Gifts that don’t actually save anyone. Jesus isn’t talking about that sort of freedom.

No, you’re really free. Baptized free! A freedom that Jesus promises, seals, and delivers to you, splashed on your forehead, in the water and Word of Holy Baptism. After all, you don’t set yourself free. Someone else does the freeing. Jesus does. He gifts it. Not only Waters it, but Sermons it, Absolutions it, Bodys and Bloods it.

To be free is to live begiftedly—from, in, and through Jesus’ Gifts. It’s how He makes you free, keeps you free, and causes you to remain in His freedom. His Gifts are the only way Jesus sets you free. And when He sets you free, well,

JESUS REALLY SETS YOU FREE. Continue reading →

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Sermons

Reformation—Observed (Jn 8:31–36)

October 25, 2015
Immanuel Lutheran Church—Bremen, KS || AUDIO
Bethlehem Lutheran Church—Bremen, KS || AUDIO

INI + AMEN.

Today we observe the best feast day in the Evangelical Lutheran Church. It has the joy of Christmas, the confidence of Good Friday, the hope of Easter, and the power of Pentecost all rolled into one. Today we observe and remember what actually takes place on this coming Saturday: not Halloween but the Feast of the Reformation. We don’t celebrate Luther. We rejoice that our Savior Jesus Christ, the true Lord of the Church, used Luther and many other faithful preachers and teacher to restore the message of the Gospel to His Church. A Gospel message that we hear from Jesus Himself today in John chapter 8: “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Continue reading →

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